Support for coal chutes and the like



Feb. 14, 1939. A. c. JURY I SUPPORT FOR COAL CHUTES AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 7, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 14, 1939. A. c. JURY SUPPORT FOR COAL CHUTES AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. '7, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to supports for coal chutes and the like and particularly to a support which may be carried on a delivery truck and readily placed in position for use.

It is the custom in delivering coal to carry one or more sections of coal chutes on the delivery truck to facilitate the unloading at the place of delivery. These sections of chute are necessarily of limited length to facilitate conveniently carrying the same on the trucks. Under the most favorable conditions a single chute may be used for delivering the coal from the truck to the place of delivery, usually through a cellar window; and the chute is provided at one end with a flange or lug adapted to engage the edge of the truck body to hold the chute in position. However, it frequently happens that the distance from the truck to the window is too long for a single section of chute and two or more sections must be used. Also, the window through which the coal is to be delivered is frequently at an inconvenient place such as under a porch or the like, which would prevent the chute from being extended directly from the truck to the window. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to have two or more sections of chute, and the deliveryman must find some means of improvising a support for the sections not supported from the truck.

The object of my invention is to provide a support which may be carried on the truck and readily adjusted to support the chute sections in any desired location or position. A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character .entioned equipped with means adapted to be engaged by the flange or lug on the chute to prevent the chute section from slipping through the window or out of position. A further object of my invention is to provide a device as mentioned of such construction as to prevent lateral displacement of the chute. A further object of my invention is to provide a support of the character mentioned adapted to be folded or collapsed into small compass so as to be readily carried on the delivery truck. A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned which may be quickly adjusted to support the chute in the desired position and without the necessity of using an tools or implements whatsoever. A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned which shall be comparatively light in weight and of great strength and stability. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

With these objects in view my invention consists generally in a pair of frames hingedly connected, one of which constitutes a base member and the other a supporting member for the chute, and means for holding the frames in adjusted position. My invention further consists in a device as mentioned further characterized by means on the supporting frame adapted to sup port one end of the chute and be engaged by the flange or lug on the chute to prevent longitudinal slipping of the chute. My invention further consists in a device as mentioned in which the supporting frame section includes means to prevent the lateral displacement of the chute. My invention further consists in various details of construction and arrangements of parts all as will be fully described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claim.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chute support embodying my invention and illustrated in folded or collapsed position,

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the same extended into one of its operative positions,

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the support illustrated in combination with chutes arranged to deliver the coal into a window located under a porch or similar projection,

Fig. 4 is a similar view with the device adjusted for holding the chute at a steeper angle, and

Fig. 5 is a detail View illustrating one manner of connecting the frame elements.

Referring now to the drawings, l indicates generally the base frame member and 2 the supporting element. The base frame comprises a pair of angle iron members 3 extending longitudinally of the device and connected adjacent their ends by cross struts 4 and 5 respectively. A diagonal brace 6 extending from one of the members 3, adjacent the end of one of the struts, to the other member 3 adjacent the opposite end of the other strut, adds to the rigidity of the base. The struts 4 and 5 and the brace 6 are preferably, but not necessarily, made of channel iron and may be secured to the angle irons 3 in any desired way as by spot welding or riveting.

The supporting member of the device comprises a pair of substantially parallel side members 1-1, which are also preferably of channel iron, and have their forward ends pivotally connected to the vertical flanges 3' of the base members as at 8. Connecting the side members I is a cross bar 9 constituting one of the members for supporting a chute H1, and against which the flange or lug H thereof engages, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. This cross bar 9 is connected to the side members I at points removed from the free ends thereof so as to provide the projecting end portions l2 which constitute means to prevent lateral shifting or displacement of the chute by engaging the sides thereof as illustrated in Fig. 4. Intermediate the ends of the supporting frame is a second cross bar 13 which is adapted to serve the same purpose as the bar 9 under some conditions, such as illustrated in Figure 3 when it is necessary to arrange the chute section at a low angle. When utilizing the cross bar l3 the same is engaged by the lug or flange H in the manner hereinbefore described with relation to the cross bar 9. With this arrangement the adjacent portions of the side bars I constitute means for preventing the lateral displacement of the chute. A diagonal cross bar I4 is provided to add rigidity to the supporting frame section.

Means are provided to hold the supporting frame in adjusted position. This comprises a brace member pivotally connected at one end to the supporting frame and having its free end adapted to engage a series of notches in the flanges 3 of the side elements of the base frame. This brace comprises a pair of arms i5 pivotally connected at [6 to the side members i and connected at their lower ends by a cross bar H, which is adapted to rest in the notches i8 of the base frame. The cross bar I! projects at its ends beyond the members [5 as indicated at 29. Di-

. agonal braces l9 between the arms l5 and bar l1 add rigidity to this portion of the device. The brace frame is preferably connected to the members 1 substantially midway of the length of the latter. This'not only provides for a greater latitude of adjustment, but when the device is folded as illustrated in Fig. '7, the free end of the brace member extends but a short distance beyond the ends of the base members 3. It will be noted that the rear ends of the flanges 3' of the base members are beveled as at 2| forming an incline upon which the projecting ends 20 ride when the supporting frame 2 is raised, so that it will interfere with the easy raising of the support.

As hereinbefore stated the various elements of the device, with the exception of the angle bars 3 are preferably formed of channel irons, although this is not necessary. When made of the channel irons, the portion of the web 2| at the ends may be removed and the side flanges 22 bent as illustrated in Figure 5, for attachment to the adjacent elements. This may be done by either spot welding or by riveting as indicated in said figure.

I claim:

A support for a coal chute comprising a base frame formed of parallel side members adapted to rest on the ground and transverse members rigidly connecting the same, a supporting frame comprising substantially parallel side bars pivotally connected at one end to the side members of the base frame and a pair of transverse bars adapted to be selectively used for supporting the end of the chute, one of said transverse bars being connected to the side bars of the supporting frame adjacent their free ends, the ends of the side bars beyond said transverse bars constituting means to prevent lateral displacement of the chute and the other transverse bar being arranged intermediate the last mentioned transverse bar and the pivotal connection, and means interposed between the base frame and the supporting frame for holding the latter in adjusted position, substantially as described.

AARON C. JURY. 

